Grey Peacock-Pheasant

The grey peacock-pheasant is a medium-sized, finely mottled pheasant. Males carry rows of metallic blue-green eye-spots on the wings and tail, a raised wispy crest and usually two spurs on each leg; females are smaller, browner and have less brilliant ocelli. When displaying, the male spreads and tilts his patterned wings and tail toward a female. Males are roughly 55–75 cm long and females about 46–55 cm (CITES species review; Wikipedia, general species account).

It inhabits subtropical and tropical lowland and montane forest across South and Southeast Asia, particularly dry and hill evergreen forest. Birds walk through dense understorey, taking seeds, termites, fruit and other invertebrates from the ground. Wild pairs have been observed, suggesting a monogamous system, and breeding generally falls between January and April. The usual clutch is two eggs. Within Vietnam, its broad mainland distribution overlaps several other secretive pheasants, so calls are often the most practical field clue (CITES species review).